Car-coupling



' (No Model.)

E. K. OPHEIM.

CAR GOUPLING.

No. 354,575. Patented Dec. 21, 1886.

extension, a, of the block B, and

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENGEBRET K. OPHEIM, OF LA CROSSE, VVISCONSIN.

'CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ne. 354.575, dated December 21, J 886. Application filed June 21, 1886. Serial No. &05,785. (No model.)

To all whom 't may concern:

Be it known that I, ENGEBRET K. OPHEM, of La Crosse, in the county of La Crosse and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-couplers, of which the following is a specifieation.

My invention relates to car-couplers; and it consists in the combination, with a draw-head, oi' a block pivoted thereto and capable of 1ateral motion thereupon and a coupling-hook pivoted to said block and movable vertically in relation thereto, the hook and the block being connected with the block and draw-bar, respectively, by means of springs, all as hereinafter explained.

In the drawings, Figure lis a perspective View of ny improved coupler; Fig. 2, avertical longitudinal central section through the same, and Fig. 3 a View of the parts separated.

My invention is designed to allow the coupling-hook to have alateral movement, so that in going around curves there is no danger of the cars beconng unconpled.

In the drawings, A indicates the draw-bar, which may be Secured to the car in any of the usual and well-known methods, and B represents a block pivoted to the draw bar by means of a vertical pivot pin or bolt, C.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the draw-bar is recessed or undercut to receive a fiat arm or it is through this arn or extension a that the bolt C passes. The forward face or shoulder, b, at the front upper edge of the draw-bar, is chrved on the arc of a circle concentric with the pivot C, and the adjacent face of the block B is eorrespondingly curved. The block B, as shown in Figs.

` l and 3, is provided with forwardly-cxtending parallel arms D, which are separated a distance to receive the rear end of the coupling-hook E, the latter being connected to the arms D by means of a horizontal pin or bolt, F.

Formed upon the side of each arm D is a lug, c, and upon opposite sidcs of the'draw-bar A are similar lugs, d, the two sets of lugs c d being preferably formed with sockets, in which are secured the ends of coiled springs G, as shown in Figs. l and 2. The springs G are Secured firmly at each end to the lugs c d, so

' that as the block is moved in one direction one of the springs will be positively distended, and when moved laterally in the reverse direction the other spring will likewise be drawn out or distended. By this arrangement the springs act positively to return the block to its normal position, and to this extent possess advantages over prior constructions where fiat platesprngs have been employed.

The block B is further provided withalug, e, on its upper face, between the arms D, and the hook E is also provided with a similar lug, f, these two lugs being adapted to receive the ends of a coiled spring, H. Now, when the forward end of the hook E is raised to engage with the draw-head of the other car, the spring is placed under compression; but as soon as the couplng is eifected the spring tends to engagement.

The forward end of the hook is rounded vertically and beveled, as shown, so as the more readily to slide up the inclined nouth of the receiving draw-bar, and the rear wall of the lower barb of the hook inclincs from its base upward and forward, so as to form a good hold upon the other car and obviate the danger of becoming uncoupled accidentally.

In advance of the lugf the hook isprovided with an eye, g, to which a chain may be attached and connected with suitable devices for Operating the coupler withoutgoing between the cars but as this feature forms no part of my invention it is not shown.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is- 1. In a car-coupler, the combination, with the draw-bar, of a block pivoted thereto and capable of horizontal movement thereupon and a coupling-hook pivoted in said block and movable vertically in relation thereto.

draw-bar, a horizontally-movable block secured thereto, a vertically-movable hook secured to said block, and springs conneeting the 'movable block and the draw-bar.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination of a draw-bar, a horizontally-movable block, 'a ver tically-novable hook Secured to said block, a

keep the front end of the hook down and in 2. In a car-coupler, the combination of a spring connecting the hook and the block, and hook E and the arms D, aspring, H, between springs connecting the draw-bar and block.

the lugs ef, and springs G between the Iugs 4. In eombination with draw-bar A, having c d, all ar'anged substahtially as shown. lugs d on each side, block B, provided with ENGEBRET K. OPHEIM, 5 arms D and lgs c e, a vertical pivot pin or Witnesses:

bolt, C, a coupling-hook, E, provided with a ANGUS GAMERON,

FANNIE H. ROWLEY.

lug, f, a horizontal pivot, F, connecting the 

